Lucasfilm Foregoes STARS WARS 3D Prequels to Focus on New Trilogy

Lucasfilms has decided to forego releasing the other two STAR WARS 3D prequels in order to focus on the impending new trilogy, Deadline has announced.

The studio, prior to being acquired by Disney, released the 3D version of STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE in Feb. 2012, which seemed little more than a desperate attempt to make a profit. It debuted to $23 million its opening weekend. The other five films, including the original trilogy, had originally been set for release over the next few years.

The announcement comes only a few days after the Disney and Lucasfilm announced that J.J. Abrams would helm the first "reboot" of the franchise.

Speaking with The Huffington Post, the director spoke about his goals for the highly-anticipated sequel. "I can just say what I want to do: I want to do the fans proud. I want to make sure the story is something that touches people. And we're just getting started. I'm very excited."

Star Wars: Episode VII is scheduled to hit theaters sometime in 2015 with a script by Michael Arndt. Disney and Lucasfilm plan to release a new installment of the trilogy every other year.

J.J. Abrams is well known for his work in the genres of action, drama, and science fiction. He wrote and produced feature films before co-creating the television series Felicity (1998-2002). He also created Alias (2001-2006) and co-created Lost (2004-2010), Fringe (2008-present), Undercovers (2010) and produced the television series Person of Interest (2011-present), Alcatraz (2012) and Revolution (2012-present).

He directed the films Mission: Impossible III (2006), Star Trek (2009), and Super 8 (2011), and produced the films Cloverfield (2008), Morning Glory (2010) and Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011). Many of the films he directed/produced are by Paramount, while his television series were co-produced by either Warner Bros. or ABC Studios.